Method and apparatus for marking molded building blocks



H. F. GEIST 2,395,365

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING MOLDED BUILDING BLOCKS man 5, 1946.

Filed June 2'7, 1942 3 SIieetS-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HERBERT E. GEIST.

ATTORNEYS.

BY J

H. F. GEIST March 5, i946.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING MOLDED BUILDING BLOCKS 'Fiied June 27, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.9.

INVENTOR. HERBERT E.GE|ST.

ATTORNEYS.

,JM BY MJM Patented Mar. 5, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE -METHGD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING IWOLDED BUILDING BLOCKS Herbert F. Geist, Cleveland, Ohio application-June av, 1942,'Serial No. 443,792 '12 Glaims. (Cl. 101-126) with concrete block molding machines, conveyors and drying racks and utilizable for the purpose of applying the marking in the preferred form by a stencil sprayoperation upon the green block without necessitating extrahandling of the green block.

In the concrete building block industry the block is usually formed in a molding machine which is suitably designed and operable to perform the major molding operation through a vibrating or jolting action upon the mix or ag- :glomerate charged into the mold. x-A finishing pressure is applied to shape the agglomerate or mix within the mold -to-:a uniform size and to finish the top of the block. This vibrating and nominal or low pressure molding method TDIO- duces blocks withdesired tensile and compressive strengths, density, and sameness ofdimension' in a highly productive manner. 'The green blocks, while supported on or carried by pallets, arelremoved from the discharge end of the molding machine after the blocks have been stripped-from the molds. The green blocks are handled with appropriate care while in this green state to prevent marring and deforming of the block. The blocks supported on pallets are usually removed from the molding machines by a eonveyorwhich transfers the same to a drying rack;

.In many locations building codes or regulations exist which require that the date of manufacture ot the block and other data be carriedby the block and such codes usually require a minimum ageing period-before the blockcan be incorporated in a building structure. These ageing periods may vary but are substantially of adoration of thirty days.

--It is also the general practice to subject the :green block after it has been removed fromfthe .molding machine, to a wet steam drying treatment to control the rate-of setting-ofthe-cement, and this wet drying. step :may vary in duration depending upon the .ideas of the block manufacmachine.

turer and the particular size and shape :of the block, but in any event this wet drying period is for a duration of not much less than twentyfour hours. 1

Various ways of applying markings to *a concrete block have been followed heretofore, such, for example, as the actual molding of the marking into the top or under surface of the block. .In other instances manual chalk marking has been utilized. Both of these methods of marking have their drawbacks in :that if the marking is effected in the molding operation the cost of the molding equipmentiis increased and the particular location .of the marking is confinedto the top or bottom surface :of the block :so :as not .to interfere with the stripping action of the molding Chalk marking' has been found to be unsatisfactory due to the fact that the markings become smeared orobliterated, and such markings cannot be applied to green blocks with any degree of permanency.

. By my presentimethod I propose to apply the marking to the green block immediately after the block has been formed in the molding machine and stripped from the mold by the machine and I apply such a marking by a stencil spray operation on one of the bonding faces of the block. Such marking is effected by the utilization of a colored aqueous mix of sufli'ci'ent bodi to pass through a spraying machine but sufficiently dense to quickly form the desired marking by stencil outline. This material is such that'it will bond to and penetrate to some extent into the relatively porous surface of the block. The

materials used should be such as to 'not discolor to any undesirable or substantial degree during the wet drying operation to which thegreen block subsequently is subjected. The applied marking can, of course, comprise the'name of the manufacturer, or the trade-mark of the manufacturer or other trade-marking as well as the required date of manufacture.

Other objects of my invention may become apparent fromthe following description and by referring to the accompanying drawings showing the manner of carrying out the steps of my method of applying the insignia to the green block and also showing several forms of an apparatus suitable for carrying out the steps of my novel method.

In the drawings:

Fig. '1 is aside elevation ofa green block-moldingmachine of a commercially available type having adapted thereto a pneumatically operated green -block conveyor mechanism and an assomit of the labeling of the block in the manner desired during the manufacturing step of transferring the green block from the discharge and of the molding machine to a drying rack or conveyor;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the block or pallet supporting end of the conveyor mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top sectional viewof the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 taken substantially along the line 3-.-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows the block supporting end of the conveyor mechanism of Figs. 1 and 2 as viewed from the operators side of the conveyor mechanism;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary top views of two positions of a stencil and support therefor relative to the nozzle of the spray apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a modified form of a stencil supporting means; a r

Fig. 8 is a second form of the embodiment of the apparatusof my invention adaptable to the discharge end of the green block molding machine whereby the marking can be applied to the block before the block leaves the discharge end of the molding machine and Fig. 9 is an end view of the same.

My invention contemplates the incorporating of a block marking apparatus into a conveyor mechanism which is associated with the block molding machine of the type'hereinbefore referred to. This marking apparatus can be installed at the block discharging end or side of the molding machine or with the chain conveyor or slide mechanism of the molding machine. The, first example of embodiment is arranged in such a manner that when the conveying mechanism (usually also a pallet and block elevating mechspray gun control disposed adjacent the operatorTs control for the conveyor. elevator mechanism; Thus, it permits a spray marking of the green block while the block is on a pallet resting on the support of the conveying and elevating mechanism.

In the drawings in Fig. 1 a general outline of a block molding machine is illustrated together with an elevational view of a green block conveying and elevating mechanism.

7 Machines of the general type shown in Fig. 1 are arranged to automatically feed steel plates or pallets into and through the machine by a feed mechanism, not shown, but will be referred to hereinafter. as a chain conveyor indicated by the dash line 4 in Fig. 1. The conveyor 4 travels from rear to front or discharge side of the machine frame 5. At the rear of the machine a stack of pallets P are arranged indecked or stacked fashion in a holder or magazine 6.. One pallet at a time is slid or removed from the bottom of the stack by lugs on the chain conveyor 4 and advanced to a molding position or station in the front part of the machine. At the molding station suitable mechanism elevates the pallet out of engagement with the chain conveyor lugs and positions it against the bottom of an open mold box, to thus constitute the bottom wall of the mold. Core members (notshown) are then lowered into the mold box into contact with the pallet top surface,v Agglomerate or mix is then charged into the mold box whereupon the pallet ciated spray marking mechanism which will per- 7 and mold box are subjected toa vibratory or jolting action to cause the agglomerate to uniformly settle within the confines of the mold and about the cores. A pressure or stripper head is then lowered downwardly into contact with the jolted or vibrated agglomerate within the mold to exert a nominal pressure upon the agglomerate and to finish the molding action of the machine by leveling the top of the agglomerate within the mold and to complete the formation of the block to the desired height. The green molded block is then stripped from the mold by holding V the pressure or stripper head stationary while the core members and the mold box are simultaneously elevated, thus leaving the shaped green block upon the pallet. Thereafter, the pressure member is elevated away from the green block or the green block and pallet are lowered away from the pressure head and the pallet and block are shifted away from the molding station of the machine to the discharging end thereof. Such a machine is generally indicated in the side elevation in Fig. 1.

The green block conveying and elevating mechanism may be of several forms, the particular form shown in the drawings being of the swing: able boom type supporting a pneumatically 0perated elevator mechanism. The boom member comprises a pair of channel members disposed with the flanges thereof extending inwardly and carried by a pivotally mounted mast l6 suitably supported on the frame of the molding machine as shown by a base member l1 and tie brackets IS. The mast may be otherwise supported. if desired. A bottom truss member i9 and vertical struts interconnected by diagonal struts 2| complete the track structure for a conveyor carriage 22.

' As shown the conveyorcarriage 22 is supported on the flanges of the channels or track members 15 by carriage wheels 23 riding on the flanges of the members I 5.

Fixed to and dependent fromthe carria e 22 is a piston rod 24 upon the lower end of which is a pneumatically opera ed piston member (not shown) disposed within the pneumatic cylinder 25. Secured to the'lo-wer end of the cylinder 25 is a green block supporting structure comprising an L-shaped frame and members which extend 25 and then downwardly to be connected to a horizontally disposed load su port 28. The load support may be forked shaped if desired and so des gned that it may be disposed under a pallet or pallets carrying a green block or green blocks stationed at the dischar e end of the machine. Strut members 21a ex ending between the frame members 2! and the load supporting structure or platform 28 add rigidity to the load engaging and supporting means 28.

A pneumatic control for regulating the volume of air'under pressure within the cvlinder to bring about relative movement between the elevator rod 24 and cylinder 25 may comprise a flexible air conduit 30 from a source of compressed air and which extends downwardly along the cylinder to a piping and controller valve system carried by the frame structure 21-28.

The piping is arranged so that the valves can 70 be operated to admit compressed air into the cylinder and permit the compressed air to escape therefrom as desired. Thus the supply line is connected to a branch 32 leading to a trigger valve mechanism 33 operated by a controller handle 34 75 disposed to the left of the operators position as horiz ntally away from the bottom of t e cylinder shown iii-FigsrBiand 4; When'thacontrollerrleyer 34 is operated the elevatorrmechanism'i raised by pneumatic .pressure exert'ed' inzthe supper-part of the cylinder bythe passageof compressed" air through the conduit: 31: Atsecond conduitbranch 361leads to acontroller: valve -3.'l:operatedbya controller-lever. 38 disposed on the left'sideand-which, when operated; causes the elevator mechanism to lowerdue to the ingress of "compressediairthrough conduit 31a into the lower part of the' cylinder.

Connected into thepressure sideof the describedipiping systemIis-a fiexibleconduitdfl lead ing' to a: spray gun apparatus 411 andzsuitably" attached to'the frame comprisingatlieWorksupport of the conveyingand. eleva ing; mechanism with the nozzle: 4 I a thereof rpositicned? tovsoray: iir the direction of; a green: block WhGIIiOILtHE=816VfitOI platform cfith-e conveyor.

Mounted upon the frame-structure of' "theelevator; is' a: bracket member 43-? upon whichare swingably mounted a. pair oflink' members 45 which s p ort or suspend "a'stencil plate or=n embrane 48 adjacentone-surface ofa green' bloclr when the block is raised on' a pallet'supp rted 'by the 2 conveyor mechanism; In the arrangement shown in Figs. 5 and 6 a stencil]. 48 is swing through a. slight distance into contact with the end of the block upon thefirstimpact-oi' pigmented material projected by the spray gun' to cau e the stencil to swing to thenosition shown inFig; 5; When air pressureon thegun'is shut off the stencil t"en falls to'theposit on shown inxFig. 6. under the influence of gravity;

In Fig; 7 Ihave. shown amodifiedform of' support for the stencil 63" which comprises a frame s ructure 543 suitab y se vr d to the load supp rt with the stencil 4S yieldingly-supported on'the frame 5!! by'four' sensitive spring-members 5!. The stencil will be brought into" thesprayin gposition illustrated in Fig. '7 at thetime' he conveyor mechanism is'being manipulated 'at'the discharge end of the molding machine to en agethe pallet with the green block thereon, to thus have one surfs cc of the block juxtaposed-or in contact'vvith the stenciland thus cause slight compression of spring'members 5!. The stencil. will remain in the position illustrated-in Fig.- 'T"a long'as the pallet and the green block'are on the'work support of the conveyor. The connections for the spray gun M in this mcdified'form may :b'esubstantially thev same as thus illustratedin Figs;- l; 2, Sand 4.

In Figs.- 8' and 19 I have shown a duplex-marking apparatus associated withthe discharge end of a molding mach ne whereby suspended stencils' may beswung against" the faces are pair of green blocks while the spray marking: is being effected. Fig. 8 is a side elevatio-nal'view of' a'molding machine discharge end havingaa'.pallet carriage-fill suitably supported by an upwardly extending frame structure comprising side channel members 6| attached at the inner endsthereofto the uprights 62 of the frame of the machine. The channel members 5! are suitably'bracedby horizontal spacer members and diagonal braces 64:. Angle irons 65 are mounted on the tops offthe channel members to constitute rails uponwhich thewheel's 60a of the carriage 6llride; As-shown, the car riage 6!] is of suflicient width to support the pallet P while carrying two blocks.

Disposed at each side of the. framework sup;- porting the carriage railsare. stencilsupports ttl of any suitable structure :to conveniently suspend th stencil members ID in juxtaposed relation-to faces. of. the blocks while on the carriage. The members 68 may be U-shaped as shown with the lowerends' thereof attachedi toithe-channel-zmembers. M1. Thestencils may: be. swingably" suss pendedIthereonby.ringmembersflZ;

The spray marking mechanism. may comprisev a control system arrangedv at". each side: of the carriage effecting simultaneous operation "ofiboth marking apparatuses; This arrangement; is: as follows. An air line from a suitableisourcetz is connectedto a pressure regulator 15. The regulator is suitably supported by a plate l3 secured to oneof'the' channel members 61 and to one of the machineframe members-62. The regurlatcrfis connected' to an air control valve T63 This valve is operated by lever 86,1depending rod 81 and treadle lever" 82, there being at. spring member 83' which serves to maintain' this valve operating mechanism in position to maintain the air valve 16 normally closed.

Alspray gun -apparatusIB is supported on the member B8-b'y'a cross-bar I9and to which it is'secured' with the nozzle of the gun' in an operative position to shift or swing-the stencil against the face of the block during the spraying opera.- tion; The-gun is connectedto theairline-by'a flexible conduit TI.

The arrangement for the opposite-side'of the machine formounting the gun; stencil; etc.-, is

substantially the same as'described and a conmeeting line, extending fromthe valve control side of the machine to the oppositeside thereof; is connected to the spray gun apparatus 88fby a c nduit 81.

The foregoing described arrangement permits ofthe simultaneous marking of the. blocks. immediately after the removal'thereof' from the molding machine.

As a further example of the adaptabilityof the disclosed marking apparatus and particularly the form shown in'Fig. '7, portability can be obtained by simply usingthe marking apparatusindenendently of the conveyor mechanism or the molding machine. Theoperator can carry the combined stencil and spraying apparatus from block to block when the same are on racks or, conveyers, and manually compress the stencil and springs 51 against a base 'of a block before releasing the sprayingblast. Such'marking can be' effected on either dried or'green blocks.

While I have disclosed two embodiments of an apparatus for carrying out the novel steps-of marking .a building block of the particular molded :type while in a green-state and whereby such marking can be'effected without unduly: increasing-the productiontcost of 'thejblock, it'is to'be understood that such disclosure is: notby way of'limitation" of the'scope of the inventiorrex= (3633176295613 forth in the appended claims.

Having thus'described my invention, I claim: 1. In the art of manufacturing molded build-1- ing blocks by the use of molding and strippin machines; the step of labeling the block immediately after the block has been stripped'fromthe' mold comprising stencil spraying. the'label upon abondingface: of the block with coloringmatter carried in an aqueous vehicle and'while the block is still wet and thereafter drying the-stenciled' stationto thereby eliminate extra handling of the green block during labeling operations.

3. In the art of manufacturing molded building blocks, the step of labeling the block while the block is in a green condition comprising stencil spraying the label upon a bonding face of the block while the block is in transit from the mold to a drying station to thereby eliminate extra handling of the green block during labeling operations.

4. The method of applying insignia, such as trade names, dates, etc., to a building block of the molded type comprising forming the legends on the bonding face of the block by spraying colored matter onto said face through a stencil while the block is in a greener undried condition and during the conveying of the block from the mold to a drying station.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a concrete block conveying mechanism for transferring a green molded block from a molding machine to a dryin rack or conveyor, including a support for the green block to be conveyed, of a block marking mechanism mounted upon the conveying mechanism in juxtaposition to the said support to thereby be adjacent to a. surface of a green block when on the support, and controller means disposed to be available to the conveyor operator for ready operation of the block marking mechanism while the green block is being transferred from the molding machine to a drying rack or drying conveyor.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the

combination with a pneumatically operated conoperator for ready operation of the spray marking mechanism while the green block is being transferred from the molding machine to a drying rack or drying conveyor.

'7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a concrete block conveying and elevating mechanism for removing a green molded block on a pallet from a molding machine, having a support for the pallet of a block marking mechanism mounted upon the conveying mechanism in juxtaposition to a surface of a green block when on the conveyor, controller means disposed to be available to the conveyor operator for ready operation of the block marking mechanism while the green block is on the conveyor, a common power applying means for operating the elevating mechanism and the block marking mechanism,

cluding a stencil mat, mounted upon the con-, veying mechanism in juxtaposition to a surfaceof green block is on the conveyor, a common pneumatic power applying means for operating the elevating mechanism and the block marking mechanism, there being arranged adjacent the first said controller means a second controller means for operating the elevating mechanism.

9. The combination of a conveyor mechanism for green concrete blocks having a horizontally extending support for uniformly supporting a green molded block, a stencilling apparatus operably mounted upon the conveyor mechanism for eifectingla stencil marking upon a green block positioned upon said support including a perforated stencil movably mounted upon the conveyor mechanism adjacent the block support whereby the stencil can be positioned against a surface of the block and a spray gun apparatus carried by the conveyor mechanism with suitable controls therefor disposed adjacent the operators side of the conveyor mechanism.

10. The combination of a conveyor having a pneumatically operated elevator mechanism provided with a horizontally extending work support for engaging the underside of a pallet supporting a green molded block, a stencilling apparatus 0perably mounted upon the work supporting structure of the elevator mechanism for effecting a stencil markin upon a green block resting on a pallet positioned upon said support including a perforated stencil movably mounted upon the elevator mechanism adjacent the block support whereby the stencil can be positioned against a surface of the block and a spray gun apparatus carried y the conveyor mechanism, conduit means connecting the spray gun to the source of pneumatic pressure for the elevator mechanism and a suitable pneumatic controller therefor disposed adjacent the operators side of the conveyor mechanism.

11. In the art of manufacturing molded building blocks by the use of a molding machine, the stepof labeling the block with insignia such as trade names, dates, etc., after the block has been stripped from the mold and before any substantial drying thereof has taken place comprising stencil spraying the label upon a bonding face of the block with coloring matter in liquid form and while the block is still undried and thereafter drying the stenciled label simultaneously with the drying of the block.

12. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a concrete block molding mechanism including means for removing a green molded block on a pallet from the molding machine having a support at the discharge end of the machine for the pallet, f a block marking mechanism mounted in juxtaposition to the said support to thereby be adjacent to a surface of a green block when on a pallet restin on the support, said block marking mechanism comprising a spraying apparatus and a movably mounted stenoil stationed adjacent said pallet support and controller means disposed to be available to the operator for convenient operation of the block marking mechanism while the green block and pallet are on the support where insignia such'as trade names, dates, etc., can be applied to a bonding face of the block while the block is in a green condition.

HERBERT F. GEIST. 

